The National Merit Scholarship Competition begins with the PSAT in the fall of junior year. Of the 1.5 million students who take the PSAT, 15,000 are chosen as finalists based on PSAT results, school recommendation, written essay, and a school transcript. This March, 8,000 finalists will be selected to receive a Merit Scholarship Award, which will come in the form of a $2,500 scholarship from the National Merit Scholarship Corporation or a college or corporate sponsored scholarship.

MacFarlane has attended Berwick Academy since sixth grade, where he has enjoyed strong academic success, especially in math and science. He was inducted into the Cum Laude Society and the National Latin Honor Society, earning Summa Cum Laude (gold) scores on the National Latin Exam each of his first three years in the Upper School. He earned the Chemistry Departmental Award in his junior year, and was the recipient of the Yale Book Award. MacFarlane is also involved in many extracurricular activities at Berwick. An avid member of the Math Team, he has participated on the competing squad since freshman year. Ian is also an active member of the A Capella Group and the Drama Club. He recently portrayed Inspector Javert in the school's production of Les Misérables. Ian also plays on the Varsity Tennis team, frequents the Friday night Foreign Film Club, is a peer tutor, and serves as a member of the school's Honor Committee.